Hello again, savvy savers! Here in my neck of the woods, Spring has sprung! Though according to our old friend Punxsutawney Phil, we are still officially six weeks from the start of Spring, my yard is starting to come alive with Spring Bulb plants, or “fall” flower bulbs which are planted in the fall, grow roots into winter, then sprout and bloom in the spring. These include favorites such as tulips, daffodils, hyacinth and others.
So, today I wanted to share some of my favorite tips for Spring Bulb Care this coming season. Here are a few of my favorite Spring bulb growing tips:
- Most spring bulbs emerge and bloom in spring — then their foliage starts to fade and they go dormant by midsummer, usually by June 1st.
- It’s important to let the foliage naturally go yellow and wither.
- Never try to stake or braid foliage to try to make it look tidier.
- Try planting Spring Bulbs in flower beds, alongside other perennial foliage, so that when bulbs start to fade, they will naturally be eclipsed by the emergence of other Spring plants, which prevents your beds from losing sparse.
- It is helpful to remove the flowers on most spring bulbs as soon as they start to fade; this helps bulbs conserve their energy into producing seed instead of a big crop of blooms the following year.
- Don’t fertilize blooming bulbs, but do make sure they are planted in beds will compost, mulch, and nutrient rich soil.
- Bulbs should be fertilized in fall, and one month before blooming, in the end of January; for beds covered in snow, simply remove snow, place in-ground fertilizer stakes, and replace snow accordingly.
- Many spring-flowering bulbs are native to hot, dry areas — so they prefer dry conditions in summer when they’re dormant.
I hope these tips help you to enjoy your beautiful Spring Bulbs for as long as possible this year.
Here’s to gardening,
